The sacred feet of the Lord are as vast as the
cosmos, as pervasive as the sky. They reach even Potato Loka (lower
world). His sacred crown lies
beyond Bhrahmanda (cosmos). He is inaccessible, imperceptible and
incomparable.

(Kannada Poem)

Embodiments of Love-Students, Teachers and Educators!

FIND IT DIFFICULT TO
DELIVER A speech in Kannada language. It requires regular practice. If you
do an activity regularly, you become adept in it. I get a chance to speak
in Kannada very rarely, not always. N. Kasturi stayed at Prasanthi Nilayam
for about 30 years and he was always with Me. He made good use of this
golden opportunity for Seva Sadhana. Kasturi was a well-known creative
writer in Kannada. He was popularly known as "Kannada Kasturi." He was
very pure and sacred. Just by looking at his respectable personality one
could make out the fragrance and sacredness of Kannada language. It is
likely that I may make some mistakes here and there while speaking such an
extremely fragrant language.

Pioneering Efforts
of Narayana Bhat

Narayana Bhat
established two schools in Kamataka - one at Alike in Dakshina Kannada
district and another at Muddenahalli in Kolar district. Following Sathya
Sai educational principles,heworked very hard for a long
period of time to develop them into model schools (loud applause).
In order to develop the schools, he had to take loan from various sources
and also from a large number of his well-wishers. But he had to struggle
hard to pay off the loan. He and his mother went to so many villages and
towns and approached several persons for raising money. But the debts went
on increasing and never showed any sign of coming down. On one occasion,
Narayana Bhat approached Me and briefly explained how those outstanding
debts were causing him a lot of worry. He prayed to Me, "Swami, Anyatha
Sharanam Nasti, Twameva Sharanam Mama, Tasmat Karunyabhavena....(l have no
other refuge except You. You are my saviour. Show mercy on me and protect
me.) Swami, I beg and plead with You, please take over these two
schools and put new life into them." Then I said to him, "Narayana Bhat!
Health and education are essential for all. I know that. But right now,
don't give them to Me. You look after them as long as you can." I
encouraged him to go ahead with his service activities. I blessed him and
said, "Be happy. Carry on teaching spiritual truths." Later on, Narayana
Bhat worked with much

more zeal and vigour. These institutions made rapid
progress. They were hailed as model schools. He was indeed a beacon light
for all spiritual-seekers and service-minded persons. Yad Bhavam Tad
Bhavathi (As is the feeling, so is the result). Soon many good teachers
joined him. They were all men of character, intelligence and sacrifice.
They renounced everything and stood by him steadfastly. Presently, all
those dedicated teachers together are running the institutions very
efficiently.

Noble Ideals Set by Alike and Muddenahalli
Institutions

Narayana Bhat carried on his mission and worked
tirelessly day in and day out. But his time was drawing near. This body
goes with time. 'Kalaya Namah, Kala Kalaya Namah, Kaladarpa Damanaya Namah,
Kalatheethaya Namah, Kalaswarupaya Namah, Kalaniyamitaya Namah
(salutations to time, to the one who is beyond time, to the one who has
conquered time, to the one who transcends time, to the one who is the
embodiment of time, and to the one who ordains time). Time is supreme.
Everyone has to bow down to time. As time moved on, all of a sudden,
Narayana Bhat met with a car accident in 1978. The

accident proved to be fatal and he left his mortal
coil at once. The organization lost its mother. It was orphaned. Then
Gangadhara Bhat, Narayana Rao, Narasimha Murthy and others came to Me and
said, "Swami, that-day You made a promise that You would look after these
institutions. Kindly take over these schools and protect us all." They
intensely prayed and pleaded withMe.

My intention is to give proper direction to the
present educational system. I always encourage any good move in this
direction. Vidya has an important role in the life of man. Life without
Vidya is useless. One has to learn real Vidya and share it with others to
lead them on the righteous path. It is what I intend to do in the field of
education. If I took Alike and Muddenahalli institutions, I had to bear
the burden of those debts standing against them. It was not a meagre sum.
It was ten lakh rupees of those days! But all the teachers were praying;
"Swami, You are our Lord, You are our saviour. You have to save us." My
heart melted at their sincere prayer. Instantaneously, I took over those
institutions and cleared all their outstanding debts once and for all.

From then onwards, I used to visit Muddenahalli while
travelling between Prasanthi Nilayam and Brindavan. I would talk to those
dear children and enthuse them. Darshanam Papa Nashanam, Sparshanam Karma
Vimochanam,

Sambhashanam Sankata Nashanam(sight of the Lord
destroys all sins, His touch frees from Karmic consequences, conversation
with Him destroys all sufferings). Thus, I gave them Darshan, Sparshan and
Sambhashan. The teachers too felt encouraged and happy. Being free from
all worries and problems, the teachers worked with relaxed mind and
brought the institutions to this level. Now the institutions do not have
the burden of debt. The schools have made a considerable progress
attracting the attention of the world. The teachers are very good. They
recognize the good qualities in each other and adopt them in their lives
and thereby raise their moral-spiritual levels. They do not get into bad
and demeaning company. You are judged by the company you keep. Tell me
your company, I shall tell you what you are. Association plays crucial
role in one's spiritual life. Teachers should always relish the company of
the good and thereby work for the growth of the institution. The teachers
of Alike and Muddenahalli are doing it. They are developing the inner
strength of the schools. The schools have been showing excellent progress.
They have now reached college stage. They have already won a lot of fame.
People call them Sathya Sai Loka Seva Colleges. They will become
full-fledged colleges in a few years. To reach the same standard, the
remaining institutionsof the Sai Organisation will have to put in
a lot of effort.

The day-scholars in these institutions come from
distant places. Some students walk some distance and then catch a bus and
reach the schools. The heads of the schools and teachers cooperate with
each other and help each other to make good progress and march towards
perfection. The students there have a high moral and spiritual standard.
Students should totally avoid bad company. You should always associate
with the good. You should always join the group of students who are good
in their speech, behaviour and actions. By doing so, you will reach the
height of eminence. In Treta Yuga, Lakshmana closely observed Hanuman and
reported to Rama: "Swami, Hanuman is virtuous and mighty. He serves
Sugriva very competently. It is Sugriva's good fortune to have the
SatsangaofHanuman. The company of Hanuman will help
Sugriva and remove all his sufferings." In the same way, students should
become good by associating with good company. Going to Muddenahalli is
what I always like. In the past, I frequently went there and saw those
children and guided the teachers with timely advice. But the times have
changed. Under these changed circumstances, I cannot go there so easily as
I was doing in the past. Now hundreds of vehicles follow Me. It is very
difficult to provide even a minimum hospitality to so many people. Why
should I put those teachers to trouble unnecessarily? That is why I have
reduced the number of these visits.

Dedication and Devotion of Gangadhara Bhat

Let us talk about Alike now. Alike was also handed
over to Me along with Muddenahalli school. It is not near butfarfrom here. It is not possible to personallygo there
quite often. That does not mean that I don't like to go there. They have
been praying for My coming to Alike for so
many years. Especially on one particular occasion, Gangadhara Bhat pressed
Me so much that I had no option but to yield to his intense prayers. He,
in fact, said, "Swami, we are getting old. Once at least You should come
to our village. You are our Redeemer. You have to grant us salvation." He
prostrated and intensely prayed to Me. I finally yielded to his feelings
and emotions. At once I rented a helicopter and went there. You must know
why I had to hurry to Alike. Gangadhara Bhat's prayer came straight from
his heart.

Even now, except
Gangadhara Bhat, there is no one who can shoulder that great
responsibility and lead the institution towards progress. That is why I
said to him, "Gangadhara Bhat, you must stay there only. You remain there
as My reflection. For every action, there is a reflection, reaction and
resound. You have to conduct yourself in such a way that your words should
reflect My views. You must have a feeling that the places you go about are
the ones Swami has already trodden. While carrying out your duty, do it
with a feeling that it is in fact Swami personally doing it. You must not
leave the institution." After I told him firmly, Gangadhara Bhat took up
the assignment as per Swami's command and marched along by putting his
heart and soul in all the duties he performed. Right now both the
institutions are making good

progress. Seeing them
itself gives Me great pleasure and happiness. Now they are developing at a
quick pace. What you saw there yesterday, you will not see it now. Growth
is rapid there. It has become possible because of the efforts of the
dedicated teachers.